English

Head of Faculty: Miss R Fox

Second in Faculty: Miss K Pickles

Faculty Information

Our faculty is characterised by enthusiasm, passion for our subject and commitment to providing the best possible experience for all students in every English lesson at George Pindar School. Our main aim is to achieve the highest possible standards for all of our students, allowing them to attain their best grades in English. We hope that our students will enjoy their work in English, and we strive to ensure that our curriculum offers a rich and diverse range of learning experiences. As a team, we believe that all students should enjoy learning and that each student should have an equal opportunity to achieve their maximum learning potential. We encourage students come to English lessons with the expectation that they will be valued and encouraged but that their lessons will be demanding, rigorous and enjoyable.

Learners in English lessons will be:

• Engaged in suitable activities – to acquire or consolidate concepts and skills
• Challenged – in relation to their earlier work. Students should be able to understand and cope successfully with lesson content, but only with intellectual, physical or creative effort
• Productive – students should be working at the optimum pace
• Motivated – students should be seeking help when needed and staying on task
• Collaborative – students will work together to explore the subject

Teaching in English lessons will be:

• Discursive – characterised by high quality work
• Interactive – students contributions are encouraged, expected and extended
• Well-paced – there is a sense of urgency, driven by the need to make progress and succeed
• Confident – teachers have a clear understanding of their objectives – both short and long term
• Ambitious – there is an optimism about high expectations of success

Curriculum information

We are constantly looking to hone and develop our English curriculum to ensure that it will inspire and engage students at both Key Stages 3 and 4. Our mission is to ensure that all students leave George Pindar School with the English skills that they need to succeed, both in education and in life beyond school.

Key Stage 3 English

Our Key Stage 3 Curriculum covers a variety of topics, ranging from exploring Shakespeare’s plays to analysing poetry through rap lyrics. Students, regardless of their level, will develop the skills that they require to access the GCSEs for both Language and Literature.

Key Stage 4 – English language & English literature

English Language GCSE

100% Exam

Exam Board: AQA: English Language

When studying English Language, students will consolidate and build on the literacy skills they will need in the wider world by developing their functional, persuasive, narrative and descriptive writing expertise. In addition, students will examine a wide range of non-fiction and fiction texts in order to progress their analytical skills.

English Literature GCSE

100% Exam

Exam Board: AQA: English Literature

Students will study a diverse range of texts by authors such as J B Priestley, Charles Dickens, John Steinbeck and William Shakespeare. They will also learn how social, historical and cultural context impacts on these works, encountering issues such as racism and the changing roles of women.